The , also referred to as the Real World Championship was a championship established and promoted by

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares ...

Karl Gotch Charles Istaz (August 3, 1924 – July 28, 2007) was a Belgian-born German-American professional wrestler and trainer, best known by his ring name Karl Gotch. In Japan, Gotch was known as the "God of Wrestling" due to his influence in shaping the ...

was billed as a first champion by

. It used the belt (or belt replica) of American Wrestling Alliance (Ohio)'s AWA World Heavyweight Championship, which was held by

from to . The title was successfully defended only once, by Antonio Inoki against Red Pimpernel on day 12 of New Golden Series on . Karl Gotch was the final champion in his second reign, winning the title from

Antonio Inoki Muhammad Hussain Inoki (born ; February 20, 1943 – October 1, 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. He was best known by the ring name , a homag ...

on .

Title history

Notes

References

{{New Japan Pro Wrestling New Japan Pro-Wrestling championships World heavyweight wrestling championships

Title history

See also

Notes

References